3 Strategies for not taking on too much at year end
My kid is so excited for Thanksgiving break from school. It is four full days of fun, and her grandparents will be in town which makes it even more exciting. She also knows that not long after that break comes the two-weeks long winter break. It is all rainbows and sunshine as she envisions the many days off during the dark winter months.
I, of course, have different opinions of this time of year. Trying to wrap up the year, plan for the next year, and attend to all the year end festivities. It is a lot. Regardless of what or how you celebrate (or do not celebrate), the six-week transition to the new year is always a mad rush.
Each year, I tell myself I am not going to stretch myself too thin. I plot out what can be done proactively and what has a specific timing. I buy gifts in advance, plan menus early, reflect on my business, and figure out what I want to accomplish in the new year. As I enter Thanksgiving, I feel calm and in control. And yet, I know it will get hectic.
This year, I am going to attempt to employ a few strategies to get through the final six weeks of the year without taking on too much. It is always easier said than done when it comes to changing how we approach year end. I am optimistic these ideas can be applied and support all of us.
Be realistic about how much in-person interaction you want on your calendar. We all have different levels of extroversion (if any) and tolerance for social events. Review each invitation (parties, coffees, etc.) and assess both the joy and exhaustion impact of attending. Spend your in-person time at those with the highest joy and the lowest exhaustion quotient.
Give yourself permission to leave things undone. Whether it is dishes left in the sink, or drafting the full 2026 marketing plan, not everything needs to be done right then, or by December 31st. Ask yourself if you are generating unnecessary pressure with your timelines. Identify what truly must be completed this year versus what can roll into January when calendars are clearer with renewed energy. (Authors note, I do not recommend leaving all dishes until the new year.)
Build in genuine buffer time, not just open calendar slots. There is a difference between having time blocked off and having actual breathing room. Schedule deliberate recovery periods between major deadlines or social commitments – not as backup time for overflow work, but as protected space to process, rest, and recalibrate.
We all experience the end of year differently. Some find this to be the most joyful time of the year, and others want to cocoon at home. Some focus on work and others embrace family. There is no right or wrong way to experience the last six weeks of the calendar year. The key is to not stretch yourself thin and find yourself depleted as you start the new year. Leverage one or two of these strategies and this could be your best and most relaxing new year’s celebration ever.